The next morning, after freshening up, North unrolled the large map of the Southern Wilderness across the table, smoothing out its worn parchment edges with his fingertips. The map, purchased from a knowledgeable-looking old man in the festival market was one of the most detailed he had seen, marking out great sect territories, clan-controlled regions, independent organizations, neutral cities, and vast unclaimed wilderness.
As he studied its intricate details, the sheer scale of the world began to settle into him like a heavy weight.
It was huge.
Too huge. What looked like a finger's width on the map could take months to cross on foot.
It wasn’t just one country, or a single empire. From what he could tell, the entire Southern Wilderness was like an independent supercontinent, but far larger than anything from Earth. If he had to compare, it was as if all of America was combined three or four times over—and that was just this part of the world. And unlike Earth, where civilization had long tamed its continents, this world was still wild, untamed, and riddled with dangers.
Even on the map, North could see countless regions marked with ominous names.
“The Bone-Swallowing Marshlands.”
“The Dead Ravines.”
“The Sky-Devouring Abyss.”
“The Dead Fog Wastes.”
Each name spoke volumes about what kind of nightmarish things lurked within. He noted that some regions were completely unmarked, left blank, with only a few annotations reading ‘Unknown territory—proceed with extreme caution’ or simply ‘Forbidden Lands.’ If a map as detailed as this one didn't even dare to record what was there, then it was better to assume that only fools or the truly powerful ventured inside. That meant, for now, those places were off-limits. What he needed wasn’t some epic journey of discovery. No, he needed to pick a location where he could rank up safely, quietly, and away from prying eyes. Somewhere that would allow him to build power without unnecessary chaos.
Scanning the map further, he pinpointed the nearest ‘safe’ locations controlled by various factions.
Lustrous Sky Clan’s Inner Territories – Absolutely not. Staying anywhere remotely close to the Lustrous Sky Clan was out of the question.
The Azure Feather Sect was a mid-tier sect that was relatively stable but had a reputation for strict disciple policies. If he didn’t want to end up cleaning floors or being forced into endless sect politics, this probably wasn’t the right place.
The Verdant Flow Valley was a neutral, merchant-dominated city-state that had strong defenses but didn’t openly discriminate against wandering Visionaries. This was a good option—there was commerce, there were resources, and best of all, there was anonymity.
The Hollow Root Plains was a sparsely populated area filled with wandering demonic visionaries, mercenaries, and independent Visionaries. It wasn’t under any specific rule, which meant no one would control him—but it also meant no protection. It was a dangerous place for someone without reliable allies. The Misty Cloud Basin was a land ruled by an all-female sect, famous for their highly skilled assassins and elusive movement techniques. North immediately crossed this off his list. His plate was already full. No need to tempt fate.
There were other options too, like the big clans similar to Lustrous Sky, but these were the closest to Lustrous Sky Clan’s domain. Secondly, clans did not accept outsiders—their members were chosen strictly from within their families. As an outsider, he could never truly belong to them. So now, the real question was—where could he rank up efficiently?
After thinking it over carefully, Verdant Flow Valley seemed like the best choice. It wasn’t ruled by a sect or clan, meaning he wouldn’t be forced into disciple rankings or unwanted allegiances. It was a merchant hub, meaning rare resources were always available—expensive, maybe, but available. It had strong defenses, so even if he wasn’t powerful yet, he wouldn’t be hunted down immediately. Most importantly, it was far enough from Lustrous Sky Clan's territory that they wouldn’t care to investigate anything happening there. And Lastly, he even had the money to open up a small shop himself.
But, he still needed to be careful.
Merchants were ruthless when it came to business and profit, and while sect disciples fought for honor and power, merchants fought for gold and survival. He’d need to watch his back, but at least he wouldn’t be trapped under a rigid system that dictated his growth. Now that he had his next destination in mind, all that was left was figuring out how to get there. Traveling alone was too risky, but traveling in a large group would draw too much attention. The best option was to find a merchant caravan heading in that direction and secure a position—either as a temporary guard, a paying traveler, or by making some kind of deal for safe passage.
Thus, his next priority became extremely clear—head into the city, buy the resources he needed for his Imaginary Island, purchase a self-defense Images, and then immediately look for a caravan or parties leaving as soon as possible. Because if he stayed here too long? He wouldn’t need to plan his future. The Lustrous Sky Clan would plan it for him. And he doubted their version of his future involved anything pleasant.
Rolling up the map, North set it aside and stood up, stretching slightly before adjusting his robes. He needed strength, resources, and a way out. And by nightfall, he intended to have all three.
After finishing his lavish breakfast, North wasted no time. He left The Swan Resting Palace with an easy stride, his mind focused on the next critical step—securing the right Images. He had already decided on his destination: The Pavilion of Images. Unlike some of the more well-known Image merchants, The Pavilion of Images had a mysterious reputation. They weren’t just sellers of Images—they were collectors, researchers, and Visionaries in their own right, their inventory filled with curious and exotic selections that other merchants might not even dare to stock.
There was something about them that intrigued North, though he wasn’t foolish enough to think too much about it. What mattered was that they had what he needed. And more importantly, they had ties in Verdant Flow Valley. Not that it mattered now, but if things went well, that connection might be useful in the future.
As he approached the familiar structure, he took in its grandeur once again. The Pavilion of Images was an elegant multi-story building, its exterior lined with black stone streaked with faint golden patterns. Stepping inside, he was met with a scene as lively as ever. Shelves lined the walls, each holding crystalline cases that suspended Images within them, displaying their forms like carefully preserved artifacts. Some glowed gently, faint wisps of energy swirling inside, while others were more defined—serpents coiled in mist, burning spheres resembling miniature suns, blades flickering in and out of existence as if itching for battle.
A steady stream of Visionaries moved in and out of the shop, some browsing, some deep in conversation with the attendants, and a few finalizing transactions at the central counters where purchases were made. The Pavilion was never empty; power-hungry Visionaries always sought new ways to enhance themselves, whether through desperation, ambition, or necessity.
North didn’t hesitate as he walked further in. Today, he had enough wealth to purchase at least a low-level Rank 4 Image, but he dismissed the idea almost immediately. It wasn’t just about the cost—high-rank Images demanded more refined Nether Essence, something he couldn’t generate efficiently with his Rank 1 Imaginary Island. The smarter choice was to build his arsenal properly. At this stage, a few well-selected Rank 1 and Rank 2 Images would serve him far better than a single high-rank one he couldn’t even wield effectively. There was no need to overreach when his current foundation was still too shallow.
He moved toward the section where Rank 1 Images were stored. These were the most common and abundant—the foundation for most early-stage Visionaries. That didn’t mean they were weak. A well-chosen Rank 1 Image could outclass a poorly matched Rank 3 Image in the right circumstances. He took in the vast array of options, each Image with different attributes, attack types, and environmental needs. Like some were purely offensive, designed for raw damage—fireballs, ice shards, lightning arcs. Others leaned toward mobility, enhancing a Visionary’s speed or agility. Some focused on defense, creating barriers or temporary armor.
A few were more unusual, Images that affected the mind, twisted reality, or influenced luck in ways most didn’t fully understand.
North ran his gaze over the displayed selections, his mind already calculating what combinations might serve him best. His Burrowed Might Image gave him temporary bursts of power, but it wasn’t a proper combat tool. He needed something that could either enhance his survivability or give him a reliable attack option.
This was also the time to show some ingenuity.
Many Visionaries simply picked whatever Image looked the strongest, but North was not most Visionaries. He had an advantage—he knew how Images functioned, how their mechanics interacted. He wasn’t looking for just any Image. He was looking for those he could easily form Image Killer Links with. It was as dangerous as the name sounded. This was the secret knowledge & techniques only known to a few Rank 4 and higher and these techniques were very guarded. Yet North knew a lot just from the back of his hand, he could even create a few.
The defensive Images section caught his attention first. The "Jade Shell" seemed very popular among young masters - a simple barrier that could block basic attacks. North's eyes were drawn to the less obvious choice beside it: the "Mist-Walker." It didn't just defend; it confused attackers by bending light and sound around its user. Then there was “Silk Curtain Shield" - it created layers of translucent barriers that could be shed one by one to absorb attacks while conserving essence. "Stone Skin Scales" hardened specific parts of the body on demand, using minimal essence for targeted defense. "Mirror Mirage" created illusory copies that could each take one hit before shattering.
In the attack category, he passed over the flashy "Thunder Strike" that every novice seemed to covet. And then there were hundreds others like: "Thousand Thread Bind" launched invisible binding threads that could entangle or trip opponents. “Hollow Bamboo Strike" - shot compressed air bullets that could stun without leaving marks. "Autumn Leaf Blade" - created paper-thin cutting edges that looked like falling leaves. "Drowsy Mist" - released sleep-inducing particles that seemed like natural evening fog
The speed enhancement section made him pause longer than expected. "Wind Runner's Step" was efficient but obvious - enemies would see the wind patterns and know exactly what he was using. The "Ghost Fox Stride," though, created multiple afterimages while moving, perfect for misdirection. Its Nether Essence consumption was slightly higher, but the tactical advantage might be worth it. And then there were dozen others: Cricket's Leap" enabled quick, precise jumps with minimal essence use. “Water Runner's Path" created temporary stepping stones on any surface. “Swallow's Flight" - allowed short bursts of gliding. “Moon Shadow Step" - created darkness under feet for silent movement. "Flowing Silk Stride" - enabled smooth, fluid movement through tight spaces
Healing Images were expensive and rare even at rank-one, but necessary for a lone traveler. The "Dawn Renewal" was basic but reliable, capable of closing small wounds and restoring energy. More interesting was the "Crimson Thread" - it could stop bleeding instantly and numb pain, consuming less essence than full healing Images. "Morning Dew Mend" gradually healed minor injuries while sleeping. "Bone Knitting" accelerated natural healing without visible effects. "Blood Flow Return" - redirected internal energy to stop bleeding and prevent shock. "Vigor Spark" - temporarily boosted stamina and reduced fatigue.
A particular case in the corner drew his attention. The Image inside looked like nothing more than a ripple in water, easy to overlook. The label read "Face Fog" an Image that could subtly alter how others perceived its user's age and basic features. Not a complete disguise, but enough to make pursuers second-guess themselves. The price was surprisingly low, probably because most Visionaries found it too subtle to bother with.
There were similarly many utility type Images in the corner: "Memory Moth," it stored and replayed short visual memories. "Distance echo" made objects appear farther away than they were. "Scent Sealer" masked all bodily odors, useful for avoiding tracking. "Sound Pocket" - created small areas of absolute silence. "Sound Web" - detected movement within a small radius. "Coin Counter's Eye" - helped detect fake coins and hidden compartments. "Merchant's Mirror" - helped assess item quality and authenticity.
As North browsed through the vast collection of Rank 1 Images, his excitement slowly giving way to indecision. There were simply too many good choices. Each Image had its own unique properties, some offering offensive capabilities, others defensive barriers, and a few even providing utility-based abilities like stealth or tracking. His fingers hovered over several crystal cases, his brows furrowing as he mentally calculated his limitations.
Rank 1 Images were cheap, most costing under 25 Rain Coins, which meant he could afford to buy several without making a dent in his fortune. But the issue wasn’t money. The issue was maintenance. Just like a farmer planting too many different seeds in the same field, overloading his Imaginary Island with too many conflicting Images would do more harm than good. If he purchased too many, he’d have to balance their needs, ensure they were properly fed, and prevent any of them from deteriorating due to neglect. An Image that wasn’t properly maintained could weaken or outright die, which would be a waste of resources.
North exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples as his mind raced through possible combinations. It’s frustrating!
"Young Master, do you require assistance?"
A soft voice interrupted his musings. North turned to see a young woman dressed in violet robes, her expression warm and professional, with a practiced smile that suggested she had helped many hesitant customers before. "Have any of our humble offerings caught your interest?"
North straightened, adopting the slightly distracted air of a young master born to wealth. "Ah, yes," he said, gesturing at the cases. "I'll take that one... and that... oh, and definitely that one there."
But then, North kept going. "And that. Oh, and that one too. I’ll take this one as well."
Before long, more than two dozen Images were laid out on the counter, each placed carefully by the workers who removed them from their crystalline cases. The attendant, who had initially been pleased by the sale, now looked somewhat surprised.
"Young Master… are you certain? That’s quite a few."
North paused, staring at the growing collection. He had overdone it. But screw it. He had money. And for the first time in this world, he was going to spend it properly. "Pack them all. And don’t forget their substance, it should be enough to feed them a dozen times over." I could buy more, once I reached the Verdant Flow Valley… North decided. The journey should not take more than two or three months.
The attendant hesitated for just a moment, then gave a small bow, her voice filled with delighted amusement. "Of course, Young Master. Right away."
…
Soon, in the private consultation room, surrounded by dark wood panels and expansive arts, North lounged at the carved jade table. The young attendant, Sister Yu, carefully prepared Eight Treasures Spirit Tea in a purple clay pot, its fragrant steam curling through the air like dragon's breath. She was now treating him as a distinguished guest of wealth and taste. And every now and then, she would glance at him, her professional demeanor unwavering, though the sheer extravagance of his purchases had likely surprised even her.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Meanwhile, workers scurried in and out of the room, bringing in the sealed jade cases that contained the Images he had ordered, as well as carefully packaged rations of their sustenance. Each Image required specific care, and the Pavilion was nothing if not meticulous in ensuring their customers received everything necessary to maintain them properly.
North, however, was still flipping through the catalog, deep in thought. At first, he had been concerned about maintenance, balance, and control. But?
He had more than enough Rain Coins to burn—
"Why should I care?"
What did it matter if he lost an Image or if one died? As long as he had more to replace it, as long as they could buy him safety, time, and an advantage—then it was worth it.
Gold turns to dust when hoarded, but to blades when spent.
What use is a thousand treasures if a single blade can take your life?
A thousand coins spent on safety today, Worth more than ten thousand tomorrow away.
The clever fox parts with fur in fire, To run free under heaven.
Wealth was meant to be used, not clutched like some miser waiting to be robbed. If spending money like water could secure his life, then why hesitate? Why care about losing a few Images, if they were merely tools to keep him safe and ensure his victory? Even if some of them perished in battle, as long as they fulfilled their purpose, it was a worthy trade.
The most frightening thing in the world wasn’t someone talented, nor someone lucky, It was someone with endless resources, throwing them into war like kindling into fire.
North closed the catalog with a decisive snap and lifted his head. The attendant, still pouring tea with precise elegance, glanced up at him.
"Something else, Young Master?" she inquired smoothly, as though she had already expected him to demand more.
He leaned forward slightly, his expression calm but firm.
"I also need Golden Bones Image, Jade Skin, Iron Tendons, and Elephant Strength Muscles "
A small, almost imperceptible flicker of surprise crossed the woman’s eyes before she regained her composure. These weren’t ordinary combat or utility Images, they were one-time-use enhancement Images, meant to permanently fortify a Visionary’s body, making them physically stronger, tougher, and more resilient.
Unlike most Images, which required constant maintenance and feeding, these were absorbed once and became a permanent part of a Visionary’s foundation.
They were expensive. They were highly sought after. And they were exactly what someone planning for long-term survival would buy.
The attendant finished pouring the tea into an exquisite jade cup, then gently placed it on the lacquered wooden table before North.
"An excellent selection, Young Master," she said smoothly. "Would you like any additional refinements? There are variations of each that offer specific enhancements. Some strengthen flexibility, others reinforce endurance, and a few even have regenerative properties."
North tapped his fingers against the armrest, considering it. "List them."
The woman gave a slight bow before beginning. "Golden Bones come in three variations—Titan’s Marrow, which increases durability; Sun-Forged, which enhances body's abilities to survive in all kinds of environments; and Hollow Gold, which lightens the body for agility while retaining strength."
"Jade Skin has the standard form for general protection, but we also have Vein-Threaded Jade, which makes it compatible with speed-enhancing Images, and Spirit-Tempered Jade, which helps in resisting elemental attacks. Ice Jade turns skin like ice and uses moisture or water to repair the damage."
"Iron Tendons typically reinforce flexibility and resilience, but there is the Demon-Sinew variation, which grants explosive force, which enhances internal energy circulation."
…
North’s eyes gleamed slightly. They were the kind of things that would put him far ahead of other Visionaries at his level. Even if he was only Rank 1, stacking these permanent enhancements would make him far more difficult to kill, harder to injure, and faster to react.
"I’ll take Sun-Forged Golden Bones, Ice Jade Skin, and Demon-Sinew Iron Tendons, and Ten Elephants Trampling the Earth."
The attendant gave a slow nod, a knowing glint in her eyes.
"A bold combination. It will make you difficult to fight, harder to trap, and stronger in direct confrontations."
She smiled slightly, tilting her head. "You aren’t just preparing for a journey, are you?"
North faintly smiled, "I'm preparing for a future where I don’t have to worry about anyone else."
The woman chuckled lightly, then gestured toward one of the workers. "Bring the enhancement Images young master requested."
As the workers hurried to retrieve them, North finally picked up his jade teacup, bringing it to his lips. The tea was smooth, warm, and refined.
…
…
After finalizing his selection of enhancement Images, North casually set down his jade teacup, letting the warmth seep into his fingers as he leaned back in his seat. The Pavilion of Images had already proven itself as one of the finest establishments in the city, and if there was anywhere that could supply him with the absolute best resources for expanding his Imaginary Island, it was here.
"Sister Yu," North's fingers tapped rhythmically on the jade table, "what about resources for Imaginary Island expansion? The highest grade you have."
Sister Yu's professional mask cracked slightly, showing genuine interest. By now, she'd abandoned any notion of this being a typical young master's shopping spree. She produced another catalogue, this one bound in shimming silver thread.
"Young Master has exceptional taste," she said, carefully turning the pages. "We do maintain a private collection of rapid growth resources, but they are incredibly rare and difficult to procure. Many of them sell out the moment they arrive, and finding a stable supply is… challenging."
She paused at a particular page. "Still, we do have a few in limited quantities that might meet your expectations."
North set his cup down, his interest piqued. "Let’s hear them."
She paused at a particular page. "Here we have Dawn Essence Pearls, harvested from Millennium beasts. They expand the Island's capacity while purifying its essence quality. We received only three this season. And all of them are already booked by the rich families in the city."
Her slender finger moved down the list. "Nether Spring Egg, it’s an egg of an extremely rare beast called, Autumn Spring Bird. Usually they hatch into baby birds, but if planted inside the Imaginary Island, they create natural Nether essence springs within your Island, though they take some time to mature. They can cause an even lowest level Visionary to reach Rank 5 in just under a year. Extremely rare - we had just received one this year and it was booked by the First Young master of the Lustrous Sky Clan for his child. So, it also can’t be sold."
“As for what we have in stock at the moment,” She raised her head to glance at North furrowed brows, “The Azure Dragon's Saliva' Soil is our most precious. They can expand an Island's boundaries by nearly thirty percent in one use, with minimal strain on the user. We only have… and the price..." She delicately cleared her throat.
"There's also the Deep Sea Coral Powder, which not only expands the Island but enhances its production rate. And the Boundary Breaking Pill, though it’s best to use it when you reach the threshold of Rank 2 and are sure of your ability to advance. It’s used as a final push.”
North tapped his fingers against the table as he mulled over his limited options.
…
After nearly three hours of extravagant spending, North finally stepped out of the Pavilion of Images. Three hundred Rain Coins. That was the total cost of his spree—an amount that could have sustained an average Rank 2 Visionary for months, maybe even years if spent wisely. But North didn’t feel the slightest bit of regret.
What’s the point of hoarding wealth if you die before you can use it?
He had walked into the Pavilion as an opportunist. He walked out as a man fully prepared for what lay ahead. Of course, being prepared also meant being cautious. Even though most of his purchases had been conducted discreetly in a private chamber, it was best to ensure that no one recognized him. Thus, the first thing he did upon stepping outside was activate one of his newest acquisitions—Face Fog Image. The change was subtle yet profound—his features blurred ever so slightly, the edges of his face becoming difficult to focus on, as if he was just another forgettable passerby. It wasn’t an invisibility technique, but it ensured that anyone looking at him would struggle to recall his face later.
With that done, he strode through the bustling streets of the inner city, heading directly toward the outer city gates. For a brief moment, he hesitated. His rented house—90 Nether Coins per month, gone just like that. A part of him thought about returning one last time, checking if there was anything worth retrieving. But why bother? He had already made up his mind. Going back was pointless. And he might even be caught by someone. Thus, the sooner he left the inner city, the better.
Instead, he found himself heading for the public transport station. Might as well try the famous Toad Riders before leaving - he'd watched them enough times from the ground.
North had barely settled in to wait when he felt it - that slight tremor in the ground that made everyone look up.
The Transport Toad came down like a small house deciding to drop by for tea. Its skin looked like jade someone had dropped in a pond - all greens and browns swirling together. Perched atop its massive head, holding thick iron chains, was a worker clad in reinforced leather armor. However, North immediately noticed something off about the chains. It was an Image.
"Even the transportation system uses Images to function..."
It was an interesting thought.
A second worker, this one standing on the open-backed structure built onto the Toad’s back, threw down a ladder. The moment it hit the ground, it shifted, transforming from something that looked like a simple rope ladder into a solid wooden staircase.
Another Image.
Passengers quickly began descending from the toad’s back. Soon, it was his turn. He stepped forward, his excitement bubbling up slightly despite himself. His first time riding a Toad-carriage? Even after all he had seen and done, some things still felt novel. Carefully, he climbed the now-stable stairs, stepping onto the sturdy wooden platform mounted onto the beast’s back. A faint vibration could be felt through the structure—the subtle movement of the Toad’s breathing, its massive lungs expanding and contracting beneath his feet.
The worker handling fare collection gave him a quick glance before speaking in a gruff tone.
"Two Nether Coins. Destination?"
North handed over the coins without hesitation. "Outer City."
The worker nodded. With that, North took his seat, settling into a spot near the railing so he could watch the cityscape as they moved.
A few minutes later, with another resounding croak, the Toad bounced into motion, propelling itself forward with a single powerful leap. The rush of air against his face, the sheer weightless moment before impact—it was exhilarating. The leap carried them higher until the entire Lustrous Sky Clan City spread out below like a master painter's finest work. North gripped the railing, not from fear but from a strange reluctance to look away. Afternoon light caught the city's famous crystal towers, making them shine like countless arrows shot straight into the sky. The Inner City's grand plazas and gardens formed perfect circles within circles, each one housing different sects and noble families. The Toad reached its peak height, and for a moment, the city seemed to hang suspended in time. North could see the Festival District where he'd spent last night, the Plum Garden's trees now tiny dots of green.
Everything was fine until the toad was in the sky, the moment it stopped and North began climbing down from the massive toad’s back, all the rush and exhilaration he had been feeling moments ago vanished. As his feet touched the first step, his head spun, and a sickening sensation rolled through his stomach. The bounce of the ride, the unnatural sensation of being airborne one moment and slamming down the next—it had completely thrown off his sense of balance.
His grip tightened on the railing, knuckles turning white as he hesitated, unable to take another step down. The noises around him dulled, his ears buzzing as the world tilted slightly under his feet.
He tried to force himself to breathe deeply, but that only made things worse. The metallic scent of the Toad’s hide, mixed with the faint lingering traces of beast pheromones and dust, did nothing to help his churning stomach.
Then, suddenly, a firm grip clamped down on his arm from the behind, belonging to another passenger.
"First time riding?"
North weakly nodded, swallowing the growing nausea.
The old man with grey hair chuckled, his tone kind yet amused. "Happens to everyone. Come on. Take it slow."
With the man’s support, North finally managed to descend the stairs, though he still felt like his body was swaying even after his feet touched the solid ground. Before he could even utter a word of thanks, His stomach betrayed him. The world spun, his gut twisted violently, and with absolutely zero dignity, North vomited all over the street. All the expensive food he had so thoroughly enjoyed that morning? Gone. Gone in a truly miserable fashion.
The unimpressed glances of bystanders. Several people shook their heads, muttering under their breaths as they stepped away from him, clearly disgusted.
"Tch. Another soft-bellied rich kid."
"Look at him. Can’t even handle a simple ride."
At this moment, North didn’t look like a mysterious, high-status young master with deep pockets and hidden ambition. No. Right now, he looked like an absolute fool. A naïve, delicate noble son who had just stepped out of his family estate for the first time and promptly ruined his own reputation in a single moment.
Even the man who had kindly helped him had to hold back a chuckle, patting North on the back with a mix of amusement and sympathy.
"You’ll get used to it. First time’s always the worst."
North barely managed to wipe his mouth before weakly nodding. It took him more than fifteen minutes to finally regain his bearings. His legs still felt unsteady, and his head was pounding, but at the very least, he could walk straight again.
Finally stumbling around, he approached the innkeeper, he forced his voice to sound normal. "A cup of water, please."
The man behind the counter raised a brow, clearly unimpressed with his state, but poured him a cup anyway. As North gulped it down, the cool liquid washing away the last traces of nausea, he let out a long exhale.
"Never again."
Jumping Toads and slithering snakes transportation? Not for a long, long time.
Once North had fully regained his bearings, the nausea finally settling into nothing more than a dull memory, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a Rain Coin—a single piece of silver that probably equal to the inn's half day or perhaps full day income.
Without hesitation, he placed it on the counter and casually slid it toward the innkeeper.
"I need information," he said, his voice now steady and controlled. "Where can I find merchant caravans, traveling parties, or anyone looking for extra hands on a journey out of the city?"
"Young Master is looking to travel?" He leaned forward, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
North nodded.
The man exhaled, rubbing his chin before answering. "Well, there are a few options."
He lifted a finger.
"First, the most reliable choice—merchant caravans. Merchants are always moving through the wilderness, bringing goods from city to city. Some hire guards, some take passengers, but the thing is—you’ll need to either pay for your seat or fight for your keep. Most won’t take just anyone, but if you’ve got coin or skills, they’ll consider it."
North nodded thoughtfully. That was already an option he had considered.
The innkeeper continued, lifting a second finger.
"Second, there’s the Visionary Hiring Board. Over near the Outer City Guildhall, they post all kinds of notices for jobs, expeditions, and hunting parties. If you don’t mind taking a bit of risk, you can sign up with a group heading out into the wilderness. Some of them are treasure hunters, others are escort missions, but a lot of them pay in resources instead of coin. Could be useful, could be deadly."
North tapped his fingers against the counter. That one sounded riskier, but he wasn’t opposed to the idea.
Then, the innkeeper raised a third finger.
"Third, the Golden Road Plaza. It’s a marketplace, but not just for goods—people gather there looking for travel companions. Sometimes, rogue Visionaries, mercenaries, or even scholars heading to distant places. It’s a bit less formal than a caravan, but you might find someone heading in the same direction as you."
Now that was interesting. A place where travelers grouped up informally? That meant there was room to negotiate, observe, and choose carefully.
The innkeeper paused for a moment, then leaned in a little closer.
"Fourth option," he said, his voice lowering even more.
North raised an eyebrow. "If you’ve got real guts—and I mean real guts—there’s always the Shadow Paths."
North stilled slightly.
The innkeeper’s tone had changed—a slight edge to it, something between warning and intrigue. "Not exactly legal," the man continued. "But there are groups that specialize in getting people out of the city without too many questions. Smugglers, rogue visionaries, even defectors from the Lustrous Sky Clan sometimes use them. But if you go that route…"
He gave North a long look.
"So, official caravans, mercenary hiring, informal traveler groups, or outright smugglers..."
Each had its own risks. Each had its own rewards. But at least now, he knew where to start.
With a satisfied nod, North gave the innkeeper a small smile. "Appreciate the information."
The man chuckled, tapping the counter. "With how much you’re spending, Young Master, you’re welcome anytime."
Hopefully, not anytime soon... With that thought, North immediately turned on his heel and walked away.